Wigan Athletic will find Portsmouth ‘reasonable’ sellers if they match the asking price for top transfer target Christian Saydee.
The 23-year-old forward is understood to be close to a move to Wigan, who look to have the advantage at the moment over fellow suitors Plymouth Argyle.
And Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has admitted he would not stand in the player’s way were he to decide to pursue a move elsewhere.
Speaking recently about the possibility of Saydee – a very popular figure at the club – moving on this summer, Mousinho told The News. “Chris is one where we love having him around.
“I think he’s had a brilliant Portsmouth career so far. There’s a bit of that cult hero about him for various reasons.
“There’s probably a balance there with Chris, where he might get an opportunity to get more minutes elsewhere.
“We’re not pushing him out of the door at all, but if he has an opportunity I think it would probably be reasonable for us to consider it with Chris.”
Saydee, who has one year remaining on his Fratton Park contract, has scored seven times in 71 appearances – though most of those have been off the bench. Some of the messages from Pompey fans on social media have shown how sorry they would be to see him go.
Pompey Pedro (@PompeyPedro) wrote: “Struggling to remember a player who will leave Pompey with so much goodwill.”
Dean Preston (@DeanPre22968287) said: “Totally agree, sad to see him go but completely the right thing to do. Well always have Oxford at home.”
Pompey_63 (@Aaron25650310): added: “All the best Saydee you will be missed! Go smash it at Wigan.”
Crackyy (@Crackyy0_0) commented: “Christian Saydee to Wigan I think is a clever move. Ryan Lowe likes to play two strikers and I feel that Saydee will flourish in a two-striker formation. This will be a hard farewell because he’s such a character. Wigan are lucky.”
Chris Underwood (@underwood199529) stated: “If any Wigan fans are worried about Saydee, don’t be. Better suited as a number 10, absolute bully and strong as **** with good hold up play and incredible work rate. Will absolutely smash it in League One. Get yourself a goal scorer and he will compliment him.”
How Australian newcomer Adrian Segecic will fit into Portsmouth’s first-team – and his best position
Pompey’s summer recruitment drive is up and running with Adrian Segecic’s intriguing arrival to be officially announced imminently.
The two glaring vacancies in the centre of midfield remain unfulfilled, while the right wing still needs addressing – and they are clearly a centre-forward light.
Nonetheless, Segecic is viewed by Pompey as a powerful, exciting player possessing the capability to make things happen on the ball and the potential to affect games. Certainly he’s expected to significantly strengthen John Mousinho’s attacking options.
A left-footed player capable of operating on the right wing or as a number 10, the 21-year-old will essentially offer natural competition for Callum Lang.
Although the pair are regarded as having slightly different characteristics, there remains strong similarities in terms of energy, aggression and that priceless eye for goal. It’s a favourable comparison which hugely appeals to Pompey’s hierarchy.
Finally competition for Callum Lang
Having been the Blues’ outstanding performer for the first half of last season before snapping his hamstring at Oxford United, they never quite managed to replace Lang’s talents.
Loanee Adil Aouchiche impressed with his work-rate and commitment, yet, other than an assist at Norwich and a consolation against Plymouth, he lacked the levels of creativity expected of him.
Certainly he didn’t carry anywhere near the same goal threat as the former Wigan man watching from the stands, who had registered 10 in 30 games before that February injury blow.
Lang returned for the final three matches of the season, coinciding with Aouchiche’s absence through fracturing his wrist in his breakthrough game at Norwich, yet understandably looked short of match fitness.
Able to operate on the right wing
Next season, Segecic will be viewed as a rival for Lang’s role operating behind Colby Bishop. Like the Scouser, he also possesses the credentials to be effective on the right wing.
Despite thriving in the number 10 position, it shouldn’t be overlooked that Lang also started on the right in four of Pompey’s matches in 2024-25 – as did Aouchiche at Preston and Coventry.
Although Segecic’s strongest position is regarded as a number 10, his ability to also perform on the right presents Mousinho with crucial versatility with his team selection.
Certainly he is a more natural alternative to Lang than Christian Saydee, who is presently the subject of transfer interest from Wigan and Plymouth, with the Blues seeking to offload him for a fee.
Saydee, when employed in the position, offered an entirely different skillset, which also had the capabilities of troubling the opposition. But he is no Lang, particularly in goal-scoring situations.
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